What it takes to create the creator

5 October 2012

biswabrata goswami
MAHISHADAL, 5 OCT: With less than three weeks to go before Durga Puja, artistic hands here are busy around the clock giving final touches to idols of the goddess Durga. This is the period they eagerly await every year ~ when they get the opportunity to showcase their talents. 
The traditional countdown to Durga Puja begins with the Mahalaya, and if you’re one of those still contemplating a destination to visit, perhaps Mahishadal would be interesting. It's a place where community pujas are observed in the traditional way, although there are some committees that prefer themes.
Durga Puja became a popular community festival in Mahishadal in the early 20th Century. The styles of idols remained unchanged from then until the late 1990s, when the urge to be different to attract crowds led to theme-based pujas. Initially, organisers stressed innovation in pandals only. Before long, though, they started demanding innovations in idols as well.
"Every year, we try to work out something new for the pandal-hopper," said Mr Tarit Bera, a member of a puja committee. "Last year, our pandal was made with date-palm trees of various shapes and sizes. And this year we have decided to make use of wood to decorate our pandal."
Geometric designs made of bamboo and plywood will be used for decorations and various utensils used in the puja like **tirkati, sankha, kosha kushi will be displayed inside the pandal, he said.
But the traditional puja held in the Mahishadal royal palace continues to hold considerable appeal. Although the majesty and festivity surrounding these century-old pujas are gradually fading into the past, they still attract people here. Residents the Mahishadal area eagerly wait for the pujas throughout the year.  The Mahishadal royal family puja starts with Mahalaya. Queen Janakidevi first started this puja in 1778. Earlier, a large number of cultural events were arranged during the pujas but, now, as most of the members of the royal family are outside Bengal, such events are no longer held.  Here, Durga is decorated using Thermocol in the traditional style, akin to the idol of Goddess Durga that was first installed by Queen Indranidevi during her regime. In the past, animals were sacrificed. This custom, too, was abolished during the freedom struggle.  The pujas held by the Roy and Mishra families of of Mahishadal's Basulia and Baruttarhingli, respectively, are similar. Both are more than 300 years old.  Apart from the pujas, the chariot festival held on Bijoyadashami in the predominantly Muslim area of Rambag is another major attraction for the residents of Mahishadal. People from all parts of Mahishadal and Haldia gather at Rambag for the fair.
Mahishadal is one such place where community pujas are observed in the traditional way. But the traditional puja held in the Mahisadal Royal palace continues to hold considerable appeal. Although the majesty and festivity surrounding these century-old pujas are gradually fading into the past, they still appeal and attract the common people here.